Ecology proposes new rule for managing public funds

LACEY –

Nearly $250 million of the Washington Department of Ecology’s budget is awarded to local communities through grants and loans. Ecology has drafted a new rule that will govern how the agency manages some of those funds, and is looking for public review and comment on it.

The new rule applies to grant and loan programs that the Legislature authorized to use Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) funds. It will not change how grants and loans are currently managed but put existing best practices into rule to meet the agency’s legal obligation.

“We’ve been entrusted by the Legislature to responsibly manage public funds,” said Chief Financial Officer Erik Fairchild. “Our goal is to give grant and loan recipients clarity about the state’s expectations for spending these funds.”

State law requires Ecology to adopt rules for grant and loan programs that are funded by MTCA. Several grant programs funded by MTCA accounts already have detailed rules that outline distribution and performance standards. This new rule will not affect those grants and loans.

Public comments on the proposed rule are being accepted until Nov. 14, 2017.